Next Meeting – March 8: Special meeting on Allen Ave. and Beethoven Ave. Traffic Calming, tentatively set for 6:45p-7:30p. Ann Berwick, Co-Director of Sustainability will present on Newton Power Choice/ Municipal Aggregation Program.

The location of this meeting is handicap accessible, and reasonable accommodations will be provided to persons requiring assistance. If you need a special accommodation, please contact the city of Newton’s ADA Coordinator, Jini Fairley, at least two business days in advance of the meeting: jfairley@newtonma.gov or (617) 796-1253. For Telecommunications Relay Service, please dial 711.

Meeting Date:

Thursday, February 8, 2018 - 7:30pm

Meeting Minutes

Members in Attendance: All members of Waban Area Council were in attendance.

Discussion of difference between WAC and WIS (Waban Improvement Society). The general conclusion was that the two bodies played different roles in the life of Waban and are not redundant.

Shoveling snow off sidewalks: One member raised question of residents who do not shovel their sidewalks and the danger this presents to others. Enforcement mechanism is problematic; fines are not levied. It was agreed that in the next blast email, residents will be reminded of their obligation to shovel sidewalk in front of their houses.

Service day for Waban Common: Possibility raised that Jason Lupien of Lupien Landscaping would coordinate a “service day” whereby local landscapers would prepare the planting beds for Waban Common. The council asked if it could sign Jason’s activity up as a Newton Serves activity. SL is looking into that.

Discussion of Draft Pattern Book:

The point of the discussion was to submit a letter with the Council’s and Residents’ concerns to the Planning Dept. To that end, a draft was circulated. The comments and potential alterations to the Draft Pattern Book were divided into two sections: Comments on NPB and the NPB Process and Comments/Corrections to Waban Specific CBA. Meeting attendants expressed concern that some of the language in the DPB was vague and broad (“Development is to be guided to reflect the character held or sought by existing residential neighborhoods, protecting the qualities of that which exists” pg 11), raising the possibility that the DPB could be used to further any goal. Another concern was that the timeline was insufficient to allow aspirational goals to be met. Also, specific mistakes were elucidated. Ie, NWH was at one point stated to be at the east end of Waban, whereas it is in fact at Waban’s west end. Also, “open space” is designated on maps without it being clear which is private open space and which is public. The letter was approved unanimously. Final comments can be submitted to KW.

Waban Common Fundraiser Update.

SL reported that Waban Common is now an official 501(c)3 retroactive to August of 2017. Fund is well underway and showing good results. The goal is $75,000.00. Planting will begin in April.

Chestnut St repaving schedule:

Due to the need for a water main repair the street will not be repaved this summer. Some discussion around the driving dangers presented when wide side streets encounter a large thoroughfare. Examples were noted. If the side street narrows before encountering a major artery then the temptation to speed is greatly reduced. This is a curb and street problem that should be addressed when Chestnut St is repaved.

By-laws provision re resignation of area council member:

One member suggested that an area council member resign if he/she misses more than three meetings in a row. The considered course of action would be for members to potentially question errant individual to see if attendance can be improved, and if not, to ask board member to resign. No action taken.

Update on Waban Ave parking:

Parking council had approved a change on Waban Ave between Nehoiden and Manitoba. The change created a 2 hr zone on the aqueduct side and a no parking zone on the house side Parking Council. However, the resident asking for the change appealed the decision, and the appeal resulted in No Action Necessary. Parking in that section thus remains unchanged.